FRASER Kerr had a taste of the big time in pre-season – and now he’s determined to get more.

The defender, who turns 18 on Monday, travelled with Blues to their tour of Hong Kong and China.

He came on in the last throes of the match against Liaoning Hongyun for good measure.

Kerr this week signed his first professional contract and said: “I’m delighted, I’ve been working towards it for many years. To finally get it is exciting.

“Spending two weeks with the team in Hong Kong and China, training every day, seeing how they live and that, it makes you want it a bit more.

“I think that did inspire me to work a bit harder to earn a contract. Yes, I managed to play – just about! The last 15 minutes.

“I wasn’t really expecting it, I was just really happy to go away. So getting that bit of time at the end was a bonus.

“It was quite surreal to begin with, being around all the players, walking through the airport arrivals and having all the press there and stuff like that. After a while you just got used to it. I was relaxed around them.”

Kerr’s decision to make the journey south of the border paid off.

“I was playing for Scotland in the Victory Shield, live on Sky Sports. Birmingham sent a few scouts to watch me,’’ he said.

“After that they contacted the club I was at, Motherwell, and agreed a deal with them.

“I thought it was a good opportunity here, but I did have a few doubts.

“I was only 16 at the time, moving away from home. Once I got down here after a few months I settled OK.”

The path Scott Dann and Roger Johnson forged in becoming Premier League regulars provides further inspiration for Kerr.

“They came from the lower leagues and have proved themselves in the Premier League,’’ he said.

“It gives you hope that some day you can make it too.”

And he added: “Coming here full-time I have got more powerful, stronger physically. Working every day with the youth coaches I think they have brought on every aspect of my game. On the ball, defending, shape – everything.”